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Mali: Floods - Aug 2018

Disaster description

Floods in several parts of the country have affected more than 18,800 people, killed three and destroyed more than 3,200 houses. Herders have also lost around 1,800 heads of cattle. The national authorities supported by humanitarian partners are assisting the most vulnerable among those affected. However, additional resources are required to provide water, sanitation and hygiene, shelters, household items and food. In 2017, some 11,360 people were affected by floods between June and September. (OCHA 27 Aug 2018)

Since 7th of August 2018, Mali has been affected by heavy rainfall, which peaked between 17 to 19 August, causing floods across the country. These floods have caused great damage in localities of six out of the ten regions of the country. In addition, according to the Climate Prediction Center’s Africa Hazards Outlook, during the third week of August, heavy rainfall accumulations (>100mm) were received throughout several West African nations including Mali, after several previous weeks of heavy and above-average rainfall. The situation, which in this current post-election period is currently affected by various types of crises (food insecurity, conflicts etc.), is likely to sustain further flooding problems in Mali and will only exacerbate the already enormous humanitarian needs in the coming months. (IFRC 4 Sep 2018)

According to data collected by the Directorate General of Civil Protection (DGPC), floods affected more than 137,000 people and caused 13 deaths on 17 September. The hydrological and meteorological forecasts have indicated normal to excess rainfall with an average rise of two centimetres per day for both the Niger and Senegal rivers. This situation deserves a special attention as the number of people affected has reached its highest level in the last six years. The population at risk of flooding in the country is estimated at more than 183,000 people. The floods partially or totally destroyed approximately 6,350 houses and 92 water wells. In addition, they killed about 2,680 heads of cattle. The regions of Timbuktu, Segou, Koulikoro and Gao, as well as the district of Bamako, have recorded about 82 per cent of flood-affected people in the country. Most of the people displaced because of floods or the risks of floods have been relocated to schools, which may pose a problem at the start of the school year in October. (OCHA 31 Aug 2018)

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